Christopher Harris

Virginia’s top education officials bring statewide listening tour to Alexandria

Published April 9, 2026 at 11:45AM

Virginia's Secretary of Education Jeffery O. Smith listens to concerns at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, April 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Virginia’s top education officials were in Alexandria on Wednesday as part of a statewide listening tour on public education needs.

Secretary of Education Jeffery O. Smith was joined by Virginia Department of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway, Alexandria City School Board members and approximately 100 participants at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus. House of Delegates Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring (D-4) attended an earlier roundtable with the officials.

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JUST IN: Alexandria School Board re-elects Michelle Rief as Chair for third term, names Christopher Harris Vice Chair

By James Cullum

Published July 10, 2025 at 7:00PM

The Alexandria School Board selected Michelle Rief as chair and Chris Harris as vice chair for the 2025-2026 school year on July 10, 2025 (via ACPS)

Veteran School Board Members Michelle Rief and Christopher Harris were unanimously chosen Thursday night (July 10) to lead the Alexandria School Board for the 2025-2026 school year.

The unanimous vote at the Board’s organizational meeting means a third one-year term for Rief as chair, and a first term in leadership for Harris. Rief and Harris thanked their colleagues for their support and said that the upcoming year will be challenging.

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Alexandria School Board rebukes member for punching down to ‘score cheap political points’

By James Cullum

Published October 25, 2024 at 9:36AM

Alexandria School Board Member Abdel Elnoubi speaks at a City Council candidate debate at Charles Houston Recreation Center on Oct. 16, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria School Board members sternly responded to recent criticism leveled at the Board and school system staff.

Without singling out the offending School Board member by name, Board Chair Michelle Rief, Vice Chair Kelly Carmichael Booz and Member Christopher Harris on Thursday night admonished Board Member Abdel Elnoubi for his comments at a City Council candidate debate on Oct. 16.

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Four incumbents out and newcomers running for School Board in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 20, 2024 at 10:45AM | Updated June 20, 2024 at 5:57PM

Voting at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray, November 3, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s 138 days until the Nov. 5 election, and there are just enough candidates running for an uncontested School Board election.

There are two vacancies in this election cycle after School Board Members Abdel Elnoubi and Jacinta Greene won their Democratic nominations for City Council on June 18. Additionally, two Board Members are not running for reelection, former Board Chair Meagan Alderton in District C, and Tammy Ignacio in District B.